JUDGMENT

Dated this the 27^th day of January, 2026 The petitioners are Headload Workers of the 2^nd batch working under the Kerala Feeds Ltd. pursuant to its decision in 2003. The petitioners have been working under the respondents for the past more than 19 years. In the year 2003, the Kerala Feeds Ltd., had decided to engage 39 Headload workers on a full time basis in the Kerala Feeds Ltd. at Kalletumkara.

2. On the basis of Ext.P1, originally, there were

39 workers in the batch and the petitioners are active members of the Kerala Feeds Loading and Unloading Thozhilali Union, Reg. No. 8-10/2015. Many among them were sponsored through the Employment Exchange, while others were selected by the Company through an independent selection process.

3. The petitioners have been continuously discharging their duties for nearly two decades without any break. The petitioners are enrolled in the Employees' Provident Fund, and regular contributions are deducted from their salary by the 1^st respondent. The petitioners state that they have a legitimate expectation that their long service, experience and prior selection procedure would be duly considered in matters of regularisation or permanent appoin